Chapter 69

"I thought you wouldn't show up," Jack said as he leaned back against the doorframe of Ethan's office. The seriousness of what he said was clear from his sad face. "Sophia just called me. Emily's mom is in the hospital with cancer."

While I was reading the contract, the pen in my hand moved over it. I didn't look up. I said, "That's... unfortunate," and the words sounded as cold as my own body.

Jack walked in and shut the door behind him. "You didn't hear from her?"

"No."

He crossed his arms and whispered, "She wouldn't." She most likely thinks you wouldn't give a damn. which you don't, based on the information provided."

Jack went on. "In a way, you are now her family. Emily will expect at least a visit from you."

I frowned as he twirled the pen between his hands. "She didn't make any requests."

Then, with a composed, distant look, I glanced up at him. "And, Jack, what precisely do you want me to accomplish? Deliver flowers?"

"Ethan, she doesn't require flowers. She needs assistance. You've been avoiding her, and we both understand why. It's not about you, though. Showing her that you care, or at least acting as though you do, is the goal.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sat back in my chair. Jack had a knack of making me angry, and worse, he was usually right. "All right. Plan a flight. I'll leave.

"It's already finished," Jack said, his voice becoming a little lower. "Just... don't mess this up, okay?"

Compared to New York, Willow Creek was smaller and quieter. It was a ridiculous analogy, of course, but I've spent my entire childhood in New York, a town where everyone knew one another. Finding the hospital didn't take long. As soon as I entered, I was struck by the sterile smell, which made my stomach turn.

Sophie was holding a bunch of daisies when I arrived at the front desk. When she noticed me, her eyes narrowed slightly and she froze.

"Ethan," she stated in a bland tone.

"Sophie." I nodded while keeping a courteous tone. "I came to see how Margo was doing."

I briefly believed she was telling me to go as her lips made a thin line. Rather, she pointed down the hallway. "Room 312." Emily is with her.

I turned around before I left. "I must apologize to you for what happened the other day. I was not in line.

She hid her surprise immediately after her eyes opened significantly. "I appreciate you saying that."

I gave another nod and went down the hallway.

The tiny room was filled with the sound of machinery. Emily's hand rested lightly on her mother's as she sat next to Margo. At first, she was too busy with whatever peaceful time they were having together to notice me.

Emily's eyes widened in astonishment as she looked up suddenly as I entered the room. "Ethan."

I gave a nod. "I came to check up on her."

Margo turned her head, a grin of kindness lighting up her pale face. She said in a quiet but strong voice, "You must be Ethan."

I took a step toward the bed and replied, "I am."

"Come here," she answered, making a feeble hand gesture. "Give me a chance to examine you properly."

I reluctantly took a place next to her. Her weak but tight grasp forced me to pause as she reached for my hand. She laughed softly and added, "So, you're the elusive one. Emily mentions you more than she knows."

"She does?" Emily rolled her eyes but stayed silent as I looked at her.

"She does," Margo said in a joking tone. "And, I'll be honest, not always in the most flattering ways. However, I believe she is wrong about you.

I scowled. "How wrong?"

Even the most defensive person may be charmed by Margo's smile. "You're not as aloof as you act." It's visible in your eyes."

Unsure of how to respond, I paused. Margo's eyes were piercing, almost dangerously so.

After some while, she added, "You don't have to talk. I understand. This type of event is unfamiliar to you. Actually, neither am I. But thank you for coming.

I said in a calm tone, "It was the least I could do."

Margo gave a little laugh. That's a really professional answer. Do you constantly act that serious, or is it only when you're among individuals you don't really know?

I gave Emily a look as she choked back a giggle. Margo's smile widened as she realized. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to make you look bad. Well, not totally.

Unaccustomed to this kind of lightheartedness, I shifted uncomfortably. "My goal is to help Emily. I added, almost as an aside, "and you."

With a softer tone, Margo noted, "That means a lot." However, don't make this a job. Life isn't long enough for that.

I stayed silent since I had no response for her.

Margo studied me, tilting her head. After a minute, she noted, "You remind me of someone."

"Who?" Even though I wasn't sure I wanted to know, I asked.

She said, "Henry," with a hint of something I couldn't quite identify in her voice. But not the aspects of him that are usually discussed. You possess his drive and energy. However, you have his loneliness as well.

Her words caused my chest to tighten. Emily gave me a wide-eyed look, as though she was also hearing something for the first time.

I replied, "I'm not lonely," sounding more defensive than I meant to.

Margo smiled at me knowingly. "If you say so."

For a short while, there was silence in the room as the impact of her words weighed on each of us.

Margo finally broke the silence. "Ethan, thank you for coming," she whispered softly. "And for keeping an eye on Emily."

Unsure of what else to say, I nodded. "Be careful, Margo," I murmured, taking a step back.

As I turned to go, she continued to stare at me and said, "You too."

I kept thinking about Margo's words as I made my way down the corridor to the waiting room. His loneliness is yours.

She was not wrong. However, she wasn't totally right either.

Upon arriving at the waiting area, I sank into a chair and allowed the buzzing electric lights to overpower my thoughts. For the time being.

Except for the flickering television in the corner, the room was empty. I was engaged in my thoughts as I gazed at it, not actually seeing anything.

"Ethan."

Emily was standing in the hallway when I looked up. With her arms folded across her chest, she entered.

With a softer tone than earlier, she stated, "You didn't have to come."

Leaning back on the chair, I said, "Jack thought I should."

Emily glared as she approached. "What makes you behave like that?"

"Behave like what?"

With a stronger tone now, she answered, "Pretend that none of this matters to you." "Even though you're here, you seem so far away."

I wiped a hand across my face and groaned. "Emily, this is not about me. Your mom- "

"It's my mom," she cut in. "I am aware of that. I'm not asking that you weep over her. Why do you usually keep people at a distance? Why do you keep me at a distance?"

I gazed at her, taken aback by her openness. At last, I replied, "You're reading too much into this."

"No, I'm not." She took a step toward me and looked into my eyes. Since I moved out, you have been cold. I felt like we were going forward, but now it seems like you're excluding me once more.

I clenched my jaw. "Some tasks are simpler to complete on your own."

"Why?" Her voice shook as she pressed.

I got up and paced the entire room. "Because I've always done it that way, okay? as no one else was present.

Before I could stop them, the words fled. Emily's annoyance gave way to something else as her look softened. "Ethan..."

I stopped her by shaking my head. "Emily, I don't need your sorrow. I'm all right. Simply let it drop.

She did not, however, move. "You're not okay," she said. And you are no longer need to do this by yourself. I'm yours now.

Her words were profound and profound. I thought for a second about lowering my shields a bit. Old habits, however, are hard to break.

I answered in a tone that was colder than I meant to: "Thanks, but I'm not your responsibility."

Emily winced, but she kept her eyes fixed on it. Perhaps not. But whether you like it or not, you are now a part of my family.

I didn't answer. Instead, with the walls I had put up around myself still firmly in place, I moved passed her.